Editor’s note: The press release provided by the Government of Saskatchewan referred to the company as the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. In 2018, PotashCorp merged with Agrium to form Nutrien. We left the name unchanged to reflect the original press release provided by the provincial government.
A major Saskatchewan mining company has been fined $120,000 after a worker was seriously injured when struck by a metal crane rail being dragged by construction equipment.
Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. pleaded guilty June 17 in Saskatoon Provincial Court to violating workplace safety regulations that require employers to keep workers clear of swinging loads and mobile equipment.
The court imposed a fine of $85,714.29 plus a surcharge of $34,285.71 following the December 2022 incident near Allan, Saskatchewan.
Safety violation leads to serious injury
The charges stem from an incident on December 9, 2022, when a worker was struck by a metal crane rail that was being dragged along the ground by a telehandler. The company was charged with contravening section 11-13 (1) of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020.
The regulation requires employers and contractors to prevent workers from remaining within range of swinging loads or parts of powered mobile equipment when workers could be endangered by such movement.
Workplace safety enforcement
The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, intervention and enforcement.
The case highlights the importance of proper safety protocols around heavy equipment operations and the potential consequences when companies fail to protect workers from known hazards.
